Socio-economic impact of reclamation of Chambal ravines through anicuts and afforestation

Abstract

Chambal ravines have challenged all efforts made so far to control and reclamation. Recently the Department of Forestry, Government of Madhya Pradesh, undertook a project to manage ravine land through construction of anicuts and afforestation, which not only reclaimed the ravine land but also saved farmers cultivated land downwards in two village viz. Bindwa and Himmatpur. The construction of anicuts and afforestation had a great impact on the economy of both these villages. The impact was assessed by collecting socio-economic data through pre-tested questionnaires and interviews. As a result of the project work, the net cultivated area increased 13% in Bindwa village and 6.5% in Himmatpur. There was rise in water-table in both villages and consequently the irrigated area and cropping intensity in these villages increased by 73% in Bindwa village and 45% in Himmatpur. Farmers started raising more remunerative crops including vegetables as well as fodder for milch animals and consequently their annual income increased more than 3 times. Also, there was a significantly higher employment generation and overall prosperity.